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Guitar Discussions -> It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post
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It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - Lewis - 2-:08 -0-10-20
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Except for my Colts being outplayed by a very good Saints team today,
the preceding Sunday to today was about as good as I could have asked
for from a musical standpoint.
I previously posted that I'd been asked by Nemesis Productions to do a
show on the 31st at a pretty prestigious (by Phoenix standards) club
called the Rhythm Room. This was based solely on them hearing the
stuff on my MySpace page. All in all a lotta good shit went down.
First of all, it was the first live show I'd done with a band (other
than jam sessions) in over 25 years. I vascilated between supreme and
utter confidence and making sure my Xanax bottle was within hands
reach for most of the week leading up to the gig. I had borrowed the
drummer and bassist from another local band. We put in about 3 weeks
of intensive rehearsals to get ready. We wound up getting 7 songs down
(all but 1 originals), and felt pretty confident about the whole deal.
We got the middle set (about 9:30pm).
It was one of those "cattle call" deals with 6 bands, each getting 45
min's w/set up time. First of all... never fucking again!!! Maybe I'd
been away from this for a long time and just forgot what it was like,
but I'd actually never done one of these kinda shows, and the set up
way sucked. Bands getting rushed into setting up quick, no proper
sound check etc.
But it worked out just so much better than I even could have imagined
in the end. We sold 107 advance tickets, 22 over the internet, and
even had 11 walkups. So we had, by the standards of this kinda gig, a
huge draw... and shit howdy did it pay off.
We hit the stage, I was absolutley consumed by supreme confidence, and
we absolutely kicked major ass. Great energy, just launched into the
first song with nothing on my mind except "you, my friends in the
audience are in for some fun". The set never lagged a bit, on stage
patter with the audience was like talking to 150 friends since I knew
just about everyone there (although there were also about 100 others
there for the bands that were to follow). Got big-ass applause after
every song, especially the only cover we did (I'll love you more than
you'll ever know) which was smack in the middle of the set. We had not
even given a thought to having an extra song for an encore... in no
way did we think we'd get one, and were NOT PREPARED. But the applause
just kept going after we were done. Luckily the promoter was a
stickler for keeping the show on schedule so we got outa that.
The whole thing just did wonders for my self esteem. I'd been pretty
worried about this since I decided to do it. Ya know... you get to be
'older', ya haven't done this in a long time, and it's not like
there's a shitload of crazy teens out there in the audience that have
a serious lack of social decorum and will scream for anything. These
were somewhat subdued and jaded adults... like us.
The sound engineer was quite impressed that we showed up with the
sense of decency to not haul in Marshall stacks or 5150's (opening
band did), and was just overjoyed that he could actually give us what
I was told was a killer house mix. That's a good shot to the ego too.
I guess some things you truly do just get ingrained in your brain from
doing it for so long... that is, keep the stage volume manageable, and
DO NOT PISS OFF THE SOUND DUDE.
Several other very cool things. While loading up my gear after the set
my drummer and bassist introduced me to the sax player in the band
they all 3 presently play in. The kid; he's 25 years old, is a first
chair clarinetist with the Scottsdale Symphony, scores local film
productions, and apparently is quite a pianist ta boot, asks me if
it'd be OK if he came to our next show and sat in on a couple of
songs. Judging by his credentials and the deferential treatment my
mates gave him I just said sure... why not. More on that later.
Then one of the bands that played after us, The Low Men, were just
killer. They came off like Elvis Costello and the Attractions meet The
Kinks. After their set the leader and I kinda congratulated each
other, and he asked if we'd do a show with them the coming Friday. So
Friday we show up at a small local watering hole to do our set. We get
second billing (only mention this as it gets us a good time slot). We
do song #1, then bring up "Mr. Young, fresh-faced, he'll get the young
girls and the gays for sure" sax man, and he just proceeds to blow the
roof of the joint. He kind meandered in and out of most of the songs
laying in and out as if he'd been with us from the beginning. Then he
spills out this mind boggling solo in the aforementiond BS&T song. So,
after the set, band members convene outside on the patio, and we have
a discussion about including sax man permanently.
The discussion turned into about 2 hours of how the 3 of them will
quit their present band the next day, and we should take a month off
to work in the new guy, bring in some of Mickey's (the bass players)
songs, and just generally reconfigure the band to a four piece. Since
this thing was put together originally as a one off kinda thing, I was
probably more honored than surprised.
So this is how it stands now... new sax guy comes on board, will also
be playing piano so I can drop some of the rhythm guitar stuff I was
doing and concentrate on the slide work I'd sloughed off to help carry
the rhythm... Bassist Mickey and I will be switching instruments on
most of his songs as he's a killer guitarist, and I want him to play
his stuff how he wants it. Drummer Lou will be doing about half of the
vocals on Mickey's songs, so that frees me up even more to concentrate
on background vocal harmonies. Best part... we all wanna continue
doing whatever songs we bring in within the same type of, for lack of
a better term, spiritual presentation. The other members are still
gung ho on everything sticking to this sorta hoo-doo, blues noire
sound.
These are people that can play, respect the style I'e chosen to
indulge in, want to contribute in the same vein, and more than
anything else, want to expand the bands virtuosity by accentuating our
multi-instrumental abilities.
We also got a local PR guy just chompin' at the bit to get to work on
getting us some press.
All in all... a very rewarding week. I have to admit that, at the
moment I'm just a bit overwhelmed. We've gotten offers to do shows at
a few other local places; ones that, had I not gotten involved with
all these other bands, and met shitloads of new people, would have
remained unknown to me.
Probably the best thing to happen is that I can officially drop the
usage of my name as the performer, since this is now a band. And the
band will be called (and there was unanimous agreement when my wife
suggested it to all) "The Lost Souls".
Now I have the issue of what to do about the latest solo album that I
still haven't turned into Funzalo Records. I told them I'm remastering
it, which I am, and to expect delivery in mid-february. As they
havent' really done much for me other than to sell one song to a TV
show, that was never used, I feel pretty secure that they've neglected
to perform their duties according to our contract, and I should be
able to pull out on the basis of non-compliance on their part; yes I
already have my attorney looking at it. I'd like to have the band
members replace some of the parts, remix and master it, and release it
on my own. Can't do much worse...
I'm in the middle of reassessing my initial evaluation that Phoenix is
totally bereft of any type of scene that supports original music. I
guess I was wrong. Lots of places supporting it; as usual you have to
get your asses out and make it happen... same as it ever was.
Anyways... sorry for rambling. It was just all very unexpected for me,
and this is the best place to share my good fortune.
Thanks for lending your ears and eyes to this guys... I appreciate it.
Play pretty,
Lewis
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - Mike - 2-:08 -0-10-20
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On Feb 8, 1:11=A0am, Lewis <le...@lewisray.com> wrote:
> Except for my Colts being outplayed by a very good Saints team today,
> the preceding Sunday to today was about as good as I could have asked
> for from a musical standpoint.
>
> I previously posted that I'd been asked by Nemesis Productions to do a
> show on the 31st at a pretty prestigious (by Phoenix standards) club
> called the Rhythm Room. This was based solely on them hearing the
> stuff on my MySpace page. All in all a lotta good shit went down.
>
<snip>
>
> Lewis
Good for you. Did anyone get any video of the gigs that you can
post?
Mike
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - Dr. Zontar - 2-:08 -0-10-20
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On Feb 8, 1:11=A0am, Lewis <le...@lewisray.com> wrote:
> First of all, it was the first live show I'd done with a band (other
> than jam sessions) in over 25 years. I vascilated between supreme and
> utter confidence and making sure my Xanax bottle was within hands
> reach for most of the week leading up to the gig.
Jeez, if someone as talented as you gets that nervous, then I should
be terrified.
Good to hear it went well. I'd love to hear some of it (the gig and
the new CD).
- Rich
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - dugjustdug - 2-:08 -0-10-20
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On Feb 7, 10:11=A0pm, Lewis <le...@lewisray.com> wrote:
> Play pretty,
>
> Lewis
And, quite apparently, you already do!
This is great news, Lewis. I remember you having extreme trepidation
when you decided to make the jump to Phoenix. This kind of stuff is a
rush. I just hope it continues for you and that it keeps the creative
juices flowing.
djd
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - Les Cargill - 2-:08 -0-10-20
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Lewis wrote:
<snip>
>
> Now I have the issue of what to do about the latest solo album that I
> still haven't turned into Funzalo Records. I told them I'm remastering
> it, which I am, and to expect delivery in mid-february. As they
> havent' really done much for me other than to sell one song to a TV
> show, that was never used, I feel pretty secure that they've neglected
> to perform their duties according to our contract, and I should be
> able to pull out on the basis of non-compliance on their part; yes I
> already have my attorney looking at it. I'd like to have the band
> members replace some of the parts, remix and master it, and release it
> on my own. Can't do much worse...
>
Hank Alrich just self-released an acoustic record on his Armadillo*
Records. Holler at him. He probably has lots to offer that-away. he's
over on the acoustic group.
*yes, *that* Armadillo, as in "I wanna go home to the". SFAIK,
he still owns the name...
http://armadillomusicproductions.com/CarryMeHome.html
> I'm in the middle of reassessing my initial evaluation that Phoenix is
> totally bereft of any type of scene that supports original music. I
> guess I was wrong. Lots of places supporting it; as usual you have to
> get your asses out and make it happen... same as it ever was.
>
Yep.
> Anyways... sorry for rambling. It was just all very unexpected for me,
> and this is the best place to share my good fortune.
>
RAWK! You deserve it.
> Thanks for lending your ears and eyes to this guys... I appreciate it.
>
> Play pretty,
>
> Lewis
>
--
Les Cargill
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - Lewis - 2-:09 -0-10-20
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On Feb 8, 9:35=A0am, "Dr. Zontar" <drzon...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Feb 8, 1:11=A0am, Lewis <le...@lewisray.com> wrote:
>
> > First of all, it was the first live show I'd done with a band (other
> > than jam sessions) in over 25 years. I vascilated between supreme and
> > utter confidence and making sure my Xanax bottle was within hands
> > reach for most of the week leading up to the gig.
>
> Jeez, if someone as talented as you gets that nervous, then I should
> be terrified.
>
> Good to hear it went well. I'd love to hear some of it (the gig and
> the new CD).
>
> - Rich
The new CD is actually up in it's entirety on Soundclick:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=3D87802
It's the only place I post my albums in their entirety, because it's
where we all (meaning musician types) hang out. It's where I can
expect to get my most concise and constructive criticism. But like I
said, it's going back in for re-mastering, and, pending Funzalo's
decision as to whether or not they actually plan on promoting the
fucking thing, I just may yank it and release it myself. Once we
retune the live band, we'll be doing some gigs with some of my label
mates. If that doesn't get the company interested I'll definitely move
on.
There actually was a live video shot of our first 4 songs. One of the
other bands had a full vid crew at the show. I was outside having a
smoke, and the head vid dude came up and said " hey... we're shooting
The Joe Draper Band later tonight, and we needed to get some settings
down, so we taped your first 4 songs to get a baseline. C'mon by the
studio if ya wanna see 'em". So, after out little band pow-wow
tomorrow evening we're all heading up to take a look-see. I'll post it
if the guy agrees to cut it loose.
And yea... the nervousness and trepidation was due mostly to my long
absence (over 25 years) form the live stage. Also, this was my band,
my songs, my gig, and way my responsibility. As it turns out, as I
previously posted, it's now a fullout BAND THANG (thank god), and I
couldn't be more thankful for being able to shed toting that mule
around.
And besides that, after the first note, this very comfortable
confidence (due in large part to my mates, and the audience) just
kinda took over like a "blanket from the moon" (quote courtesy of Tom
Waits of course). I'm just really more stoked about how the rest of
the band (temporary as it was at the first gig) has taken it upon
themselves to petition me to keep it going, mutate it a bit, dress it
up in pretty clothes (metaphorically speaking), and make it an ongoing
thing.
It's only gonna get easier...
L-
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - Lewis - 2-:09 -0-10-20
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On Feb 8, 5:23=A0pm, Les Cargill <lcargil...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Lewis wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>
>
> > Now I have the issue of what to do about the latest solo album that I
> > still haven't turned into Funzalo Records. I told them I'm remastering
> > it, which I am, and to expect delivery in mid-february. As they
> > havent' really done much for me other than to sell one song to a TV
> > show, that was never used, I feel pretty secure that they've neglected
> > to perform their duties according to our contract, and I should be
> > able to pull out on the basis of non-compliance on their part; yes I
> > already have my attorney looking at it. I'd like to have the band
> > members replace some of the parts, remix and master it, and release it
> > on my own. Can't do much worse...
>
> Hank Alrich just self-released an acoustic record on his Armadillo*
> Records. Holler at him. He probably has lots to offer that-away. he's
> over on the acoustic group.
>
> *yes, *that* Armadillo, as in "I wanna go home to the". SFAIK,
> he still owns the name...
>
> http://armadillomusicproductions.com/CarryMeHome.html
>
> > I'm in the middle of reassessing my initial evaluation that Phoenix is
> > totally bereft of any type of scene that supports original music. I
> > guess I was wrong. Lots of places supporting it; as usual you have to
> > get your asses out and make it happen... same as it ever was.
>
> Yep.
>
> > Anyways... sorry for rambling. It was just all very unexpected for me,
> > and this is the best place to share my good fortune.
>
> RAWK! You deserve it.
>
> > Thanks for lending your ears and eyes to this guys... I appreciate it.
>
> > Play pretty,
>
> > Lewis
>
> --
> Les Cargill
Yeah... Hanks got quite a rep the rest of us would do well to try and
emulate. If he's reachable I'll give him a holler. Funny how guys like
that get to be legends... but only to those of us who seek out that
kinda stuff. I'll see if he'll talk to me over there. I just don't
wanna go barging in like some wanna be hack... I mean that whole
Armadillo thing is just so god-damned American in the most meaningful
sense of the word.
Thanks Les... it means a lot to me,
L-
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - Les Cargill - 2-:09 -0-10-20
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Lewis wrote:
> On Feb 8, 5:23 pm, Les Cargill <lcargil...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> Lewis wrote:
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Now I have the issue of what to do about the latest solo album that I
>>> still haven't turned into Funzalo Records. I told them I'm remastering
>>> it, which I am, and to expect delivery in mid-february. As they
>>> havent' really done much for me other than to sell one song to a TV
>>> show, that was never used, I feel pretty secure that they've neglected
>>> to perform their duties according to our contract, and I should be
>>> able to pull out on the basis of non-compliance on their part; yes I
>>> already have my attorney looking at it. I'd like to have the band
>>> members replace some of the parts, remix and master it, and release it
>>> on my own. Can't do much worse...
>> Hank Alrich just self-released an acoustic record on his Armadillo*
>> Records. Holler at him. He probably has lots to offer that-away. he's
>> over on the acoustic group.
>>
>> *yes, *that* Armadillo, as in "I wanna go home to the". SFAIK,
>> he still owns the name...
>>
>> http://armadillomusicproductions.com/CarryMeHome.html
>>
>>> I'm in the middle of reassessing my initial evaluation that Phoenix is
>>> totally bereft of any type of scene that supports original music. I
>>> guess I was wrong. Lots of places supporting it; as usual you have to
>>> get your asses out and make it happen... same as it ever was.
>> Yep.
>>
>>> Anyways... sorry for rambling. It was just all very unexpected for me,
>>> and this is the best place to share my good fortune.
>> RAWK! You deserve it.
>>
>>> Thanks for lending your ears and eyes to this guys... I appreciate it.
>>> Play pretty,
>>> Lewis
>> --
>> Les Cargill
>
> Yeah... Hanks got quite a rep the rest of us would do well to try and
> emulate. If he's reachable I'll give him a holler.
He is.
> Funny how guys like
> that get to be legends...
Nothing funny about it. I admit it; I am a serious fan; I am
verklempt over Hank's contribution. He's not, I am.
> but only to those of us who seek out that
> kinda stuff. I'll see if he'll talk to me over there.
He will. Lewis, you ain't just farting around here. What you
have has value, and it needs consideration. Network.
Maybe it won't work out; I don't think so. But I reserve the right
to be wrong.
> I just don't
> wanna go barging in like some wanna be hack... I mean that whole
> Armadillo thing is just so god-damned American in the most meaningful
> sense of the word.
> .
> Thanks Les... it means a lot to me,
>
> L-
Do not undervalue what you have. I only brought up Hank because he
recently went there. Find his email, establish a relationship and
see where it goes. He puts his pants on one leg at a time just like the
rest of us.
Do not kid yourself; it is a hard world, and I expect Hank will find
value in what you do.
I didn't do this to name drop. I did this because I felt y'all could
be of mutual assistance. If it don't work out, he can send an
appropriately seasoned email. I'd learn a lot from it.
I believe a whole lot in what you are doing. I do not know that
any particular thing I am telling you makes any difference. This is
just one mind finding patterns that another mind can help
with.
--
Les Cargill
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - dvaoa - 2-:09 -0-10-20
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On Feb 8, 1:11=A0am, Lewis <le...@lewisray.com> wrote:
> These are people that can play, respect the style I'e chosen to
> indulge in, want to contribute in the same vein, and more than
> anything else, want to expand the bands virtuosity by accentuating our
> multi-instrumental abilities.
That's the Holy Grail right there, ElRay...pound this one while the
opportunity's there.
Here's hoping this sustains itself,
-d
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Re: It was a very, very rewarding week musically... warning, long post - dugjustdug - 2-:09 -0-10-20
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On Feb 9, 3:40=A0am, dvaoa <dv...@altavista.com> wrote:
> That's the Holy Grail right there, ElRay...pound this one while the
> opportunity's there.
Lewis:
A thought just occured to me (as I imagine it has to you). Have you
guys considered dusting off some old KA lyrics to see if they have
some traction musically? He could spin a ripping yarn from time to
time. Maybe his Missus might appreciate it, too...
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